Surf Rock Instrumental Review: The Aqua Barons-Back On Track With The Aqua Barons

Release Date: November 27, 2025

Label: Independent

Website

The Aqua Barons were formed in January 2010 in Lechaion, Corinth by the two brothers Petros & Philippos Sotiropoulos.

They are advertised as accurate to the first wave of surf instro, aiming to revive the authentic spirit of early surf music and resonate with fans longing for that classic sound.

As “A Shadow in the Mist” begins, you can substantiate that claim straight away. The ’60s vibe is apparent in the organ and guitar sounds. As the lead-off track plays, you feel like you’re going to be jumping into a time machine. The music is smooth as a soft wave hitting the shore. It’s a cool breeze on a hot summer day at the beach.

As “Kolobotsi A Go-Go” begins, the pace picks up; however, the guitars remain restrained in comparison to much of the surf rock I hear. The reason, of course, is their efforts to emulate the first wave of sound. The rhythms are catchy and effective, with the guitars placed for maximum emphasis.

“Fuzzlalum” changes the course here. Fuzz usually is more aggressive in this genre, and it gets a good workout from the band. After the first two tracks, they let you know that they can rock when they want to.

“Pagoto Kerashi” once again takes things in another direction. It has a bit of trepidation, like someone walking into a haunted house. The organ is the main instrument that creates that atmosphere. Then the lead guitar cuts loose on a nice run. As they rock out, they scale it back for more subtle, tasteful guitar notes, then close it out.

“Theme of Exodus” is the time to grab your horse and ride off into the sunset.  Based on the title, you may have your hint: they do their own Spaghetti Western version, adding some fuzztone, while the bass and drums lay down the beats—another excellent reach back to the first wave with superb execution and diversity weaving through.

“Daydreamer Blues” is their slow-burning surf instro waltz, if you will. Some nice reverb is featured as it resonates and echoes through the air. The added retro organ conjures images of the old SoCal ballrooms where the first surf groups played. This would be their one "get close" number before calling it a night.

“Barons on Wheels” jumps over to the surf hot rod genre. Again, we have a combination of subtle surf guitar and some fuzztone. I am enjoying this incredible mixture of styles and appreciate the talent involved in pulling it off properly, which they do, of course! It ends with the sound of the hot rod racing off.

In just under 2 minutes, “Surf Crusade” reaffirms their commitment to the 60s sound. The guitars scream their siren call to all surfers as the bass and drums are pounding away like a vicious wave that takes out an entire line of surfers.

“Tell Tale Guitar” Steps into a Latin-inflected sound. Their switching up of different styles is impressive. Here, they create an interesting mix of sounds. I heard that retro influences surf, rock, and some nasty fuzz tones, pushing it toward outright shredding to give it an edge. The guitars tell the tale!

“Land of the Great Ghoul” brings you into yet another scenery. The energy in their playing is infectious, as the drums’ tribal beats lead the way and the bass gets a few moments in the spotlight; the guitars cut in and do their own thing, with transitions that get your attention and keep it.

“Cove of Dreams” transports listeners to a sun-drenched surf scene, with a saxophone adding a nostalgic touch that evokes classic 60s surf culture and enhances the album’s retro flavor.

As “Lonely Siren” takes us out of this musical journey, you feel appreciative now that The Aqua Barons have revived the true spirit of the first wave of surf. At 1:08, it is the perfect outro as the sun sets.

Back On Track With The Aqua Barons showcases a variety of styles and sub-genres that keep each track fresh and engaging, making the album a compelling journey from start to finish.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

November 30, 2025

The Aqua Barons are:

Petros Sotiropoulos: lead guitar, Fender bass VI, keys, tenor sax, vocals

Panagiotis Dimitroulas: rhythm guitar *

Aris Spanoudakis: bass, vocals

Konstantinos Bessas: drums, percussion

All tracks written by Petros Sotiropoulos except 7 and 10 by Aris Spanoudakis and 5 by Ernest Gold.

*Lead reverb guitar parts on track 10 by Panagiotis Dimitroulas.

Arranged and performed by the Aqua Barons.

Female vocals on “Cove of dreams” by Stavroula Sotiropoulou.

Tracks:

01. A Shadow in the Mist” 03:02

02. Kolobotsi A Go-Go02:13

03. Fuzzlalum 01:44

04. Pagoto Kerashi 02:38

05. Theme of Exodus 02:47

06. Daydreamer Blues 02:06

07. Barons on Wheels 02:15

08. Surf Crusade 01:56

09. Tell Tale Guitar 02:43

10. Land of the Great Ghoul 02:28

11. Cove of Dreams 03:22

12. Lonely Siren (outro) 01:08

Surf Rock Instrumental Review: Desert Undertones-En Regalia

Release Date: November 13, 2025

Label: Independent

Website

The Desert Undertones are back with their second full-length release, En Regalia.

“En regalia” refers to being adorned or dressed in elaborate or formal attire, often associated with ceremonial or royal contexts. The cover art vividly captures this concept, reinforcing the album’s theme and adding visual depth to its musical expression.

“Deadeye” kicks things off in a very retro-sounding way with pounding drums and bass. The rapid riffing and bottom-end rhythms serve the lead guitar well! The energy is excellent for leading off track.

“Taos Lightning” features tasteful lead guitar runs as the bass continues to build strength, and the drums are equal to the task. The rhythms are extraordinary, as the guitar lines weave through those layers, all under three minutes.

“Todos Santos” is a small coastal town in the foothills of Mexico’s Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, on the Pacific coast side of the Baja California Peninsula. So, as you may expect, the sounds are very surf instro, with a solid rhythm guitar and leads that pinpoint-accurately enunciate the word “Surf” in every way, without uttering a single word.

“Long March 7” is one of my favorites so far. The bass and drums evoke subtle locomotives (if you can picture that), creating a rhythmic foundation that complements the lead guitar’s resonant notes. The track’s warm tones and vibrant colors evoke a deep connection to surf instro, making it a standout that genuinely captures the genre’s essence.

“Shorebreak” gets more tasteful with the tempo kicked down a few notches. It reminded me of the tracks on their first full-length, The Sentinel. The music is like the glimmer and shimmer of the sun off the ocean waves, perfect and pure excellence.

“En Regalia” is your title track, immediately signaling its importance, and it does not disappoint. Opening with rapid drumbeats and cymbals, the guitar adopts a distinct Spanish influence, reminiscent of the excitement of a bullfight. The emotion and vibrant colors of the costumes come to life on the cover art, creating a lively instrumental dance. As the album’s centerpiece, it sets a high bar that’s hard to surpass.

A “Neap Tide” is a type of tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are at right angles to each other, resulting in the smallest difference between high and low tides. This typically happens during the first and third quarters of the Moon.

Here, they switch from the high energy of the previous track to a slower, methodical tempo. Tasty leads, superb rhythm guitar, and a finite rhythm section make this another musical exercise in instrumental rock excellence.

“Algeciras” comes from the Arabic name “Al-Jazīrah al-Khaḍrāʾ,” which means "The Green Island,” referring to the nearby Isla Verde. The name reflects the city’s historical roots and its significance during the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Also notable is Dylan Oldham’s nod to his favorite guitar player, Paco de Lucia!

Continuing with the softer approach, the drums are featured briefly as the guitar maintains its dominance. I like the fact that the production of this music allowed the other instruments to be heard clearly.

“Juana Maria,” better known to history as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, was a Native Californian woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleño.

The track has a distinct Spanish influence in its sound and colors, with fast drums and bass as the bottom end, fired off by the guitars, answered by some fine lines that accentuate all those tribal beats that have been driving it along—a perfect ending to a perfect album.

With En Regalia, the Desert Undertones music has matured and become more diverse. Their ability to rock, tone it down, and be tasteful is authentic to their sound and to whom they have become with a sophomore effort that will resonate with all surf instrumental rock fans.

Credits: Guitar: Dylan Oldham, Bass: Christopher Marshall, Drums and all Recording work: Curt Pleiss

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

November 26, 2025

Tracks:

1. Deadeye 02:32

2. Taos Lightning 02:44

3. Todos Santos 02:10

4. Long March 7 02:48

5. Shorebreak 02:26

6. En Regalia 03:56

7. Neap Tide 02:52

8. Algeciras 03:02

9. Juana Maria 03:12

Surf Rock Review: The Riptide Rats-Waves of Steel

Release Date: November 20, 2025

Labels: Ghost Highway Recordings (ES) & Green Cookie Records (GR).

Website

The The Riptide Rats' first full-length release, Waves of Steel, has arrived!

They hail from Kungsbacka City, Sweden, and include members of Lunatones & the Chuck Norris Experiment.

Players:

Gustav Wilhelmsson - Guitars

Fredrik Wallgren - Drums

Jocke Olsson - Bass 

The title track “Waves Of Steel” kicks things off with a rocking surf burst of energy and retro twang.  The aim is accurate, and clearly this track sets the tone for one hell of a surf instro ride. I noticed readily how clear and crisp the production was, and I look forward to what comes next.

“Desert Dust” begins with the first wave tones and rhythmic sections. The guitar leads the way as the drums and bass pound out the waves for that fine guitar to ride upon. Rapid bursts of twang and reverb with some straight-ahead rock lines are peeled off in specific places within the composition. It’s pure surf rock excitement.

“Breaker” sounds like their tribute to the great Link Wray (if not the sure was an influence there). This track smokes from start to finish, and as soon as it starts, you know who they are giving the nod to. It is heavy and impactful, showing how three men can generate as much power and command as any five-piece band. It’s a testament to the band’s energy and musical prowess.

“Dunes” begins with the crack of the whip and instant twang. The guitar’s resonant tone creates the necessary atmosphere. The bass is notable here as well, and the drums are like the pied piper leading them through these imaginary dunes—an instrumental rocker with a Spaghetti Western motif. The second guitar sounds like a galloping horse. Epic scenery with a horse galloping away completes it.

“Coastline Chaos” is instant, high-energy from the first note. This one got me thinking about some of the great surf instro music of the ’60s. The main point is that its sound is technically precise, featuring sharp edges and an unmistakable twang.  It’s a superb rocker that showcases the band’s technical prowess and pays homage to surf rock’s roots.

“Backwater Showdown” starts with an evil laugh to get things moving. Did I hear someone say “Wipeout”? It’s their own version of the original track, with some serious guitar rocking. I liked all the transitions and how they took the original beats and built their own classic sound around them.

“Reef Rumblin’” paints the picturesque ocean waves and the dangers of the reef lurking right around the corner. The steady bass, drums, and guitars roar through this one. Hard-rocking surf instro expertly mirrors the imminent danger ahead.

“Straitjacket” is a cover from Los Straitjackets’ first album. It carries a swager and hook that cannot miss. A very deliberate bottom end keeps things in medium tempo as the guitars take off into the stratosphere. It sounds like it could be a soundtrack to a spy thriller scene. Towards the end, it blossoms into just that!

“Astrofeet” sounds like the robot’s voice from the 60s Lost in Space series. I fondly remember that show. Of course, I thought of the legendary band Man or Astroman and the way they would start some of their songs.  This is one of the heavier rockers on the recording, and they also ensure that the surfing influences shine brightly. The elements of hard-rocking guitars with surf make for an explosive track!

“Action Jaxxxon” takes us to fuzztone land, a la Davie Allen. The Ventures’ “2000 Pound Bee” returns with a vengeance! This time, it’s more complicated and faster, with a juggernaut rhythm section steamrolling its way through, clearing the way for the guitars to rule the day.

“Grease My Board” is another reach back to the first wave of surf instro, with mellower tones, heavy bass lines, and meatier guitar chords interspersed. This is the perfect blend of the violence of a vast wave and the warm rays of the sun—another excellent track to follow the last.

“Rat Stomp” closes out this incredible instrumental surf rock journey. It is the shortest run at 2:12; however, they do it right. They pack everything they have into this one, all the influences merge into one great close to the curtain. I can imagine closing out a live show with this one.

Every track stays true to its intent. The instrumentation is sharp and attention-grabbing. The recording comprises twelve excellent tracks filled with reverb, twang, and hard-rocking guitar lines. The Riptide Rats have really made it count with Waves of Steel.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

November 20, 2025

Tracks:

01. Waves Of Steel

02. Desert Dust

03. Breaker

04. Dunes

05. Coastline Chaos

06. Backwater Showdown

07. Reef Rumblin’

08. Straitjacket

09. Astrofeet

10. Action Jaxxxon

11. Grease My Board

12. Rat Stomp